Review: UOB Absolute Cashback Card

More than 5 years ago, UOB Absolute hit the scene with the bold proclamation of having absolutely no exclusions. On top of that, the bank gave it 1.7% cashback which has so far been the highest rate yet for a cashback card with no spend cap or category requirements, even if it’s just a whisker above the 1.5% we typically see.

One or two nerfs later, does UOB Absolute hold up in 2026? Let’s revisit this card more than half a decade since its launch.

1.7% cashback on most transactions

UOB Absolute is as simple as it gets: you get 1.7% cashback on most transactions charged to the card as long as it is not a NETS transaction.

There is no minimum spend, no maximum cashback cap, and yes – no exclusions.

0.3% cashback on commonly excluded transactions

Instead of exclusions, UOB Absolute offers a 0.3% rate on things like charity, education fees, government bills and other commonly excluded transactions.

UOB Absolute is also the only card known to offer cashback on Grab top-ups, though such transactions also only earn 0.3% cashback. At this low rate, the card puts the phrase “better than nothing” to the test, but if you really do want to get some cashback on Grab top-ups, there really isn’t much of a choice.

Note that 6540 isn’t explicitly listed, though Grab top-ups are. If you can find a wallet app that accepts Amex, it will indeed get 1.7% cashback. ShopeePay comes to mind, though note that Shopee charges 2% when you use an American Express card to top up, so you’re underwater for such transactions.

1.7% on insurance

One commonly excluded transaction was spared from the lower 0.3% cashback rate – insurance and insurance-related transactions continue to get 1.7% cashback for UOB Absolute.

This is one of the highest cashback rates we have for insurance, though the insurer will need to accept American Express as one of their payment methods, and not many insurers do. If your insurer accepts American Express, UOB Absolute remains one of the easiest ways to earn meaningful cashback on insurance premiums without jumping through spending hoops.

Amex acceptance and the lack of mobile wallet support

Speaking of which, American Express’s acceptance is simply less common at retailers than that of Mastercard or Visa. If you’re looking to make UOB Absolute an everyday card where you use everywhere, this will be an occasional annoyance.

The lack of support for any mobile wallet, even after all these years, suggests this is a deliberate omission by UOB. My guess is that Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other mobile wallets take a small cut from each transaction, and UOB would rather avoid those fees.

It’s admittedly a first-world problem, but not being able to pay with my phone or smartwatch makes the card far less convenient to use. I simply can’t remember the last time I paid with a physical card.

Amex perks

As an Amex card, however, UOB Absolute does receive the occasional boost in usefulness from sporadic Amex offers that American Express drops from time to time. The company has frequently offered promos like additional cashback on SimplyGo rides, as well as its Shop Small campaign every August.

Though not always, UOB Absolute is often included for such promos which can increase its attractiveness. My physical UOB Absolute card had to be dug out from my drawer just the other week, and I was bribed to do so by the recent SimplyGo promo… ah yes, that was when I last used a physical card for payment.

Against Amex True Cashback

Unsurprisingly, UOB Absolute is often compared to Amex True Cashback as both are very similar cards.

You can find a comparison here:

“No Exclusions” Cards Compared: Amex True Cashback vs UOB Absolute vs Chocolate Card

Sign-up bonus

The Verdict

UOB Absolute was a much welcomed card when it was released in mid-2021, but I think it has aged pretty poorly over the years. While it has technically stayed true to its “no exclusion” claim since launch, this was achieved by putting many transactions into a 0.3% cashback basket, mostly eroding its competitive edge over other cards.

The card’s sole saving grace now seems to be its unique ability to get cashback on Grab top-ups, though that too has diminished in relevance along with Grab wallet’s own decline in usefulness over the years.

I think the long and short of it is rather simple – if you need a real “no exclusion” card, go for the Amex True Cashback because 0.3% cashback is simply too low. But if you do want to earn some rewards from your Grab top-up, UOB Absolute has no peer.

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Seth Wee was a licensed financial adviser representative from 2009 to 2025, with over 16 years of experience in Singapore’s financial advisory industry.

He started Sethisfy.com in 2019 to share practical insights on credit cards, banking products, and miles strategies, helping readers identify financial products that deliver the best value. Seth has been featured in CNA, Channel 8, Today, and a host of other publications. In 2025, he was also part of a panel at CPF’s Ready For Life festival.

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